2013 CVC BASEBALL: Hightstown ready to break out

HIGHTSTOWN — After struggling through a four-win season a year ago, the Hightstown High baseball team figures to be ready to break out in a big way this spring.

With 14 seniors in their fold, the Rams have the leadership they need. Now they must put the lessons they’ve learned into action.

Leading the list is senior outfielder Kevin Lenart, who led the team with 26 hits and a .426 batting average in 2012. But as much as Hightstown needs his offensive direction, the team needs even more help from its pitching staff.

Senior right-hander Dylan Malinosky accounted for half of the Rams’ wins last season, while posting a 3.27 earned run average. He will be as much of a key to the staff as will senior left-hander Matt Chipego and senior closer Mike Indrikovic when not playing shortstop.

There will be plenty of other upperclassmen relied upon like right-handers Eric Anders, Brandon Block, Mike Kminek, Dan Brookwell, Greg DeDomenico and Jordan Finger. If there is one thing Jim Peto has learned in his nine years as the squad’s head coach, it’s that you can never have too much pitching as his 14 listed pitchers would attest.

“We’re going to get challenged right away,” said Peto, whose team opens at Robbinsville April 1, then hosts CVC Valley Division champ Hamilton April 3.

“I don’t think our four wins is indicative of the kind of talent we had last year. We know what we can do, but I told the guys, ‘We will be underdogs.’”

The staff will be handled by senior catcher Max Kutler, who is also an offensive catalyst for the group.

In order for Hightstown to make its move, it will need added contributions from underclassmen like junior right-handed pitchers Craig Fischbach and Kyle Carlisi as well as junior catcher Luke Vuolle.

Sophomores Matt Jacobsen, Pat McNulty, Dan Petak, Jake Reyes can help the Rams on the mound, in the field or at the plate.

Even freshman Jake Simon, an infielder and right-handed pitcher, could provide the team with a big lift.

“It will not be easy. It never is. But if this group works hard, they can get it done,” Peto said.

If the confidence of Hightstown’s players grows, they could be playing their best ball by the time season-ending clashes with Allentown, WW-P South and Steinert roll around in May, which is what they’ve wanted all along.